Image forming method

Abstract

The image forming method of the present invention includes first formation of an image, the formation including attaching a white ink containing an actinic radiation polymerizable compound and a white pigment through an inkjet head to a surface of a recording medium, first light exposure including the white ink attached to the surface of the recording medium with actinic radiation to cure or temporarily cure the white ink, second formation of an image, the formation including attaching an ink containing an actinic radiation polymerizable compound and a gelling agent through an inkjet head to a surface of a white cured film obtained by curing of the white ink, and second light exposure including irradiating the actinic radiation curable ink attached to the surface of the white cured film with actinic radiation to cure the ink other than the white ink.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An image forming method, comprising:
 first formation of an image, the formation comprising ejecting an actinic radiation curable white inkjet ink comprising an actinic radiation polymerizable compound and a white pigment through a nozzle of an inkjet head to attach the ink to a surface of a recording medium;   first light exposure comprising irradiating the actinic radiation curable white inkjet ink attached to the surface of the recording medium with actinic radiation to cure or temporarily cure the actinic radiation curable white inkjet ink;   second formation of an image, the formation comprising ejecting an actinic radiation curable inkjet ink comprising an actinic radiation polymerizable compound and a gelling agent through a nozzle of an inkjet head to attach the ink to a surface of a white cured film obtained by curing of the actinic radiation curable white inkjet ink; and   second light exposure comprising irradiating the actinic radiation curable inkjet ink attached to the surface of the white cured film with actinic radiation to cure the actinic radiation curable inkjet ink.   
     
     
         2 . The image forming method according to  claim 1 , wherein a curing rate of the white cured film is 70% or more. 
     
     
         3 . The image forming method according to  claim 1 , wherein a maximum indentation depth for the surface of the white cured film, according to a nano-indentation method (according to ISO14577-1) at a maximum load of 2 mN, is less than 1000 nm. 
     
     
         4 . The image forming method according to  claim 1 , wherein the actinic radiation curable white inkjet ink comprises a gelling agent. 
     
     
         5 . The image forming method according to  claim 1 , wherein a content of a gelling agent comprised in the actinic radiation curable white inkjet ink is 0.01 to 2.0 wt % based on a total mass of the actinic radiation curable white inkjet ink. 
     
     
         6 . The image forming method according to  claim 1 , wherein an oxygen concentration in irradiation of the actinic radiation curable white inkjet ink with actinic radiation in the first light exposure is 0.01 volume % or more and 10 volume % or less, or an oxygen concentration in irradiation of the actinic radiation curable white inkjet ink and the actinic radiation curable inkjet ink with actinic radiation in the second light exposure is 0.01 volume % or more and 10 volume % or less.